yeah, if you're getting your car in March, I wouldn't install winter tires for this year, it's too late. The general rule of thumb is, if temperatures are consistantly below 40 degrees daily, then it's time for winter tires.

This is the first year I installed snow tires. Prior to this, I've always used all-season tires during winter time. It's impossible for me to gauge how much better snow tires are vs all-seasons, since it hasn't really snowed this year in DC.

I think 2 weeks ago, there was sleet and some (1/2 inch?) accumulation on the ground, my snow tires handled it like a champ, but my old all-seasons would have no issues either.

March is actually a good time to start looking for winter tires for the next winter season. Alot of new and used tires out there for sale.

I have a winterset that i am trying to sell because i am moving to houston in april.
The tires have about 1000 miles on it and the wheels are 18" OEM silver.
PM me if interested.
They are mounted and balanced already so all you have to do is put them on.

I have a winterset that i am trying to sell because i am moving to houston in april.
The tires have about 1000 miles on it and the wheels are 18" OEM silver.
PM me if interested.
They are mounted and balanced already so all you have to do is put them on.

Winter tires with the winter we are having this year and the past 2 years?

HA!...

yeah, exactly, I regret buying my snow tires this year, or even mounting winter tires this year....They're coming off in about 2 months from today, there goes another $120+ of dismount/mounting fees...

Obviously snow had been almost non-existent the past 2 years...but doesn't just the cold temps affect the performance of the tires?

yes, but we haven't gotten the really cold temps, or any consistency in those temps this year. Our cold temps are around 20 degrees, so I can't feel the difference on my summer tires. Just to be on the safe side, I decide to swap this winter, i did it in mid-January too. I usually swap around November. My summer tires go back on in April.

It's ice that you have to worry about with summer tires.

I don't drive my car to work, so this car gets most of it's work over the weekends and about 3 weekday nights a week. I was really debating this year whether I could get away with summers this year. I woudl have limited my driving during certain days....

Yes cold temperatures affect the performance but snow tires are not necessary with cold temperatures. just dont drive as if you are racing in cold weather.

but the question is, what are the odds of having 3 consecutive historically warm winters in a row?
so probably a cold winter is coming next year.

The other advantage of having a second set is (based on my recent experience) if you destroy your tire on a saturday when dealers are closed. you can switch the 2 tires on that axle and continue driving until the dealers open, order the tire and have it ready.

It also pays off when you drive to a ski resort and you end up having a blizzard. I got out of 8 inches of snow with these tires when my friends X6 got stuck. (it was very embarrassing for him)

I don't drive my car to work, so this car gets most of it's work over the weekends and about 3 weekday nights a week. I was really debating this year whether I could get away with summers this year. I woudl have limited my driving during certain days....

If I move forward with the M3, it would be a DD for me...so I guess it is even more important to have a winter wheel/tire setup...

If I move forward with the M3, it would be a DD for me...so I guess it is even more important to have a winter wheel/tire setup...

i would say you should get the winter tires if it's a DD.

You need to also do the calculation on mounting costs to figure out whether in your timeframe it's worth buying just a dedicated wheel setup and you can just install yourself. For me it was 5 seasons (10 swaps for winter-summer, summer-winter) which is my breakeven.

I think by next winter I'm at a breakeven point, beyond it, it would be cheaper for me to buy the wheel setup. I'm banking on the moving out of DC area to California. You may be banking on length of car ownership or moving, and factor time and effort, etc. I do my swaps at the dealership, so I get a loaner and save on time.